CHIKUN/KAJURU REP, HON. FIDELIX BAGUDU, ANNOUNCES NEW APPOINTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE. (PHOTO).
NBA President Slams Governors Over Gifts to Judges, Calls for Judicial Independence
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has strongly condemned the practice of state governors publicly donating cars, houses, and other lavish gifts to judges, describing it as an affront to judicial independence. Speaking at the NBA’s annual conference in Lagos on Saturday, Osigwe argued that such gestures undermine the integrity of the judiciary and reduce judges to "beggars" in the eyes of the public.
Osigwe’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the perceived politicization of the judiciary in Nigeria. He criticized the public spectacle often made of these donations, noting that they create an impression of judges being beholden to political figures. “Judges shouldn’t be placed in a position where their impartiality is questioned due to gifts from those who may appear before them in court,” Osigwe stated. “The judiciary must be insulated from such influences to maintain public trust.”
The NBA president called for systemic reforms to ensure judges are adequately funded and provided for by the state, eliminating the need for governors to offer such gifts. He urged the federal government to prioritize budgetary allocations for the judiciary to enhance its autonomy and efficiency. “A well-funded judiciary is the bedrock of a just society,” he emphasized.
Osigwe’s comments have sparked widespread reactions, with legal practitioners and civil society groups echoing his call for an independent judiciary. However, some critics argue that the practice of gifting is often a response to the government’s failure to provide adequate welfare for judicial officers, leaving governors to fill the gap.
The NBA has vowed to engage with relevant stakeholders, including the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the federal government, to address the issue and safeguard the judiciary’s integrity. As the debate intensifies, Nigerians await concrete actions to ensure the judiciary remains a pillar of impartiality and justice in the nation.
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